Wilson insists Warriors did their best to prevent Hastings heading south

GLASGOW WArrIOrS head coach Danny Wilson can understand why fans are angry and frustrated at fly-half Adam Hastings leaving to join Gloucester, but insists the club did their best to keep him. The Scotland international had turned down ‘a competitive offer’ to stay at Scotstoun next season, according to Wilson, but the player felt he had some unfinished business in the English Premiership. Hastings, who is currently out injured, started his professional career at Bath but failed to make the breakthrough before moving to Glasgow where he made the No 10 jersey his own following the departure of Finn russell. ‘There was a relatively long process to try and get Adam to stay and at one point I thought that was going to be the case but the reason he stated to go was he wanted to play in the Premiership,’ said Wilson. ‘He had experience of that at Bath and wanted to go back to England and that was his final reason to accept the offer to go to Gloucester. ‘It is a blow and frustrating losing Adam as we wanted him to stay in Scotland and stay in Glasgow. He has become a really good player and done well on the international stage. When that happens clubs will come looking. It is an opportunity he deemed too good to turn down so he has made his decision. ‘Glasgow and Scottish rugby worked hard to get Adam to stay, in terms of trying to make a good offer to him. I think it was a competitive offer to what we were competing against from Gloucester. ‘I believe there was a real effort made by Scottish rugby to keep Adam in Scotland. That was what we all wanted to happen. ‘I can understand how the fans feel and I feel the same as them about him going. I think Scottish rugby all over feels the same too as it’s disappointing that Adam is leaving and a few others. There’s an inevitability to some of that, but we have to try to create a scenario where these boys stay in Scotland and play for their home clubs.’ Wilson said Glasgow were still in the hunt for two new No 10s but would not comment on reports that he was close to signing Munster fly-half Ben Healy. Hastings — son of Scotland legend Gavin — said in a short statement on the Glasgow website: ‘The chance to return to the English Premiership with a club like Gloucester has been an ambition of mine. ‘However, this was an extremely tough decision. Glasgow made a very good offer and I absolutely love being at the club and with the boys here. ‘I’m still thoroughly enjoying being at the Warriors and have grown as a player and person since arriving in 2017. ‘I’m extremely focused on my rehab to return as soon as possible and can’t wait to pull on a Glasgow shirt before the end of the season, hopefully in front of a packed Scotstoun.’ Gloucester head coach George Skivington has signed Hastings as a direct replacement for former England international fly-half Danny Cipriani, who departed the club yesterday.